Archive for March 12th, 2019

FALCONS VS. BRONCOS TO KICK OFF THE NFL’S 100TH SEASON
AT TOM BENSON HALL OF FAME STADIUM

CANTON, OHIO – The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos will kick off the National Football League’s 100th season in the city where the league was born. The Falcons and Broncos are scheduled to face each other in the 2019 Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. ET in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ​

HOF GAME SERIES

ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)

1969 – vs. Green Bay Packers (L, 24-38)

1981 – vs. Cleveland Browns (L, 10-24)

1994 – vs. San Diego Chargers (W, 21-17)

DENVER BRONCOS (1-2)

1976 – vs. Detroit Lions (W, 10-7)

1991 – vs. Detroit Lions (L, 3-14)

2004 – vs. Washington Redskins (L, 17-20)

The game marks the fourth appearance by each club in the annual preseason classic. Both teams own 1-2 records in the Hall of Fame Game series.Broncos owner PAT BOWLEN and cornerback CHAMP BAILEY, and former Falcons tight end TONY GONZALEZ will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame two days later. The other members of the Class of 2019 include GIL BRANDT, TY LAW, KEVIN MAWAE, ED REED and JOHNNY ROBINSON. The Class of 2019 Enshrinement Ceremony is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

“We are fired up to kick off the NFL’s 100th season in the Hall of Fame Game,” Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn said. “We are honored to play in Canton and be a part of the celebration for all of the inductees. This is also an opportunity for us to strengthen our connection and our brotherhood with additional time on the field.”

Broncos coach Vic Fangio commented, “With Mr. Bowlen and Champ Bailey part of this year’s induction class, it’s an honor for the Broncos to play in the Hall of Fame Game. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of Broncos fans in Canton, and it’s also special for us to help kick off the NFL’s 100th season. Football-wise, it gives our team an extra week of training camp and additional practices that we’ll use to our advantage.”

The 2019 Hall of Fame Game will be televised nationally by NBC and called by the Sunday Night Football team, and broadcast nationally on radio by Westwood One.

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, a key component of Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village that is underway around the Hall’s campus, was labeled as among “13 Game-Changing NFL Stadiums” by Forbes.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls, a multi-day celebration of the enshrinement of the newest Hall of Fame Class, is held each year in Canton. The ceremony is nationally televised by NFL Network and ESPN.

The 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls kicks off the NFL’s 100th season with the annual Hall of Fame Game (Falcons vs. Broncos) on Thursday, Aug. 1. Other major events complementing the Enshrinement Ceremony and Hall of Fame Game are the nationally televised (NFL Network) Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner (Friday, Aug. 2) and the Enshrinees Roundtable (Sunday, Aug. 4). The celebration in Canton wraps up on Sunday night with the Concert for Legends featuring Imagine Dragons.

The week’s events are part of the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival that now includes more than 18 diverse events enjoyed by more than 700,000 fans and millions more through television broadcasts.

More than 130 Gold Jackets (living Hall of Famers) return to the Hall of Fame each year to be a part of the Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls. Nowhere else are fans able to see and interact with as many Hall of Famers in one place at one time as in Canton during the annual celebration.

Official ticket packages for the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls are on sale now at www.hofexperiences.com/ or by calling 844-751-0532. A variety of ticket packages, starting at $299, provide fans with VIP experiences, premium seating and parties with Hall of Famers. Packages range from event day offerings to four-day experiences that include a multitude of exclusive extras.

Fans can also sign up to receive information and updates about tickets by going to www.profootballhof.com/newsletter or by following the Hall on social media @ProFootballHOF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

Q. When does the two-day negotiating period for potential unrestricted free agents begin?

A. At 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, March 11 until 3:59:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the ce​rtified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon expiration of their 2018 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13.

Q. What are the categories of free agency?

A. Players are either “restricted free agents” or “unrestricted free agents.” A restricted free agent may be subject to a “qualifying offer.” A restricted or unrestricted free agent may be designated by his prior club as its franchise player or transition player.

Q. What is the time period for free agency signings this year?

A. For restricted free agents, from March 13 to April 19. For unrestricted free agents who have received the May 7 tender from their prior club, from March 13 to July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For franchise players, from March 13 until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 12. For transition players, from March 13 until July 22. After July 22 and until 4 p.m. ET on the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season, November 12, the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights to unrestricted free agents and transition players. If the above-listed players do not sign by November 12, they must sit out the season.

Q. What is the difference between a restricted free agent and an unrestricted free agent?

A. In the 2019 league year, players with three accrued seasons who have received a qualifying offer become restricted free agents when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2018 league year on March 13. Unrestricted free agents have completed four or more accrued seasons. Upon expiration of his 2018 contract, an unrestricted free agent is free to sign with any club with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club.

Q. What constitutes an “accrued season”?

A. Six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserve/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists.

Q. How do the free agency rules apply to restricted free agents?

A. If a player with three accrued seasons has received a “qualifying offer” (a salary tender predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players) from his old club, he can negotiate with any club through April 19. If the restricted free agent signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him because the qualifying offer entitles it to a “right of first refusal” on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer. If an offer sheet is not executed on or before April 19, the player’s negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club. In addition, prior to the start of free agency a player who would otherwise be a restricted free agent may be designated by his old club as its franchise player or transition player.

Q. What are the right of first refusal/qualifying offer amounts for players who have completed three accrued seasons?

A. For right of first refusal only, a one-year salary of at least $2,025,000.

For right of first refusal and compensation at the player’s original draft round, a one-year salary of at least $2,025,000 or 110 percent of the 2018 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of one second-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $3,095,000 or 110 percent of the 2018 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of one first-round draft selection, a one-year salary of at least $4,407,000 or 110 percent of the 2018 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

For right of first refusal and compensation of only one first-round draft selection, but any provision in the new club’s offer sheet waiving or limiting the new club’s ability to designate the player as a franchise or transition player is not a principal term and need not be matched by the prior club, a one-year salary of at least $4,907,000 or 110 percent of the 2018 Paragraph 5 salary, whichever is greater.

Q. What determines an unrestricted free agent?

A. A player with four or more accrued seasons whose contract has expired. He is free to sign with any club, with no draft-choice compensation owed to his old club, through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). At that point, his negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club if by May 7 the old club tendered the player a one-year contract for 110 percent of his prior year’s salary. His old club then has until the Tuesday following Week 10 of the regular season (November 12) to sign him. If he does not sign by that date, he must sit out the season. If no tender is offered by May 7, the player can be signed by any club at any time throughout the season.

Q. What determines a franchise player?

A. The salary offer by a player’s club determines what type of franchise player he is: exclusive or non-exclusive. An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 19; or (ii) the amount of the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player, as explained below. Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the “Cap Percentage Average,” for calculating the required tender for a non-exclusive franchise player:

The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .

If a club extends a required tender to a “non-exclusive” franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft-choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.

Q. How many franchise players and transition players can a team designate each season?

A. A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player among its potential restricted or unrestricted free agents.

Q. Can a club decide to withdraw its franchise or transition designation on a player?

A. Yes. A club can withdraw its franchise or transition designation, and the player then automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent, either immediately if the tender is withdrawn after the start of the 2019 league year, or when his 2018 contract expires if the tender is withdrawn before the start of the 2019 league year.

Q. What is the salary cap for 2019?

A. The salary cap is $188,200,000 per club.

Q. When must teams be in compliance with the salary cap?

A. At the start of the 2019 league year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13.

Q. If a team is under the salary cap at the end of a given season, can the team “carry over” room to the next season?

A. Yes. A team may carry over room from one league year to the following league year by submitting notice to the NFL prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on the day following the team’s final regular-season game, indicating the amount of room that the club wishes to carry over.

Q. What is the maximum amount of room that a club can carry over?

A. A club can carry over 100 percent of its remaining 2018 room to its adjusted salary cap for 2019.

NFL Media is the go-to destination for the most comprehensive coverage and analysis of the 2019 NFL free agency period, with players such as running back Le’Veon Bell, safeties Earl Thomas, Landon Collins and Tyrann Mathieu, quarterback Nick Foles and more, ready to hit the open market.

NFL Free Agency Frenzy on Wednesday, March 13also features live coverage of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Kyler Murray’s Pro Day at the University of Oklahoma.

Digitally, NFL.com is the go-to destination for the latest news reports from around the NFL, which includes a list of the Top 101 free agents available from Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling, a running list of who has signed where, and best team fits for free agents. Additional written content on NFL.com includes daily free agency debriefs from Gregg Rosenthal, Elliot Harrison’s 11 best free agent signings from 2018, Adam Rank’s Unpopular Opinions, Cynthia Frelund’s three best analytical free agent signings and three head-scratchers, and more.

Also joining NFL Network’s extensive NFL Free Agency Frenzy coverage are former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and former New York Giants Vice President of Player Personnel Marc Ross.

Live streaming of NFL Network’s NFL Free Agency Frenzy coverage is available across devices (smartphone, PC, tablet and connected TVs) through the NFL app, TuneIn or NFL.com/watch for subscribers of participating NFL Network providers.

NFL Total Access airs each night at 7:00 PM ET recapping the day’s action and providing the latest news reports, with hosts Scott Hanson and Lindsay Rhodes, analysts Shaun O’Hara and Joe Thomas, and reporter Steve Wyche. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s editions of NFL Total Access expand to three hours of live coverage.

Good Morning Football kicks off NFL Network’s coverage each day at 7:00 AM ET, with Kay Adams, Nate Burleson, Peter Schrager and Kyle Brandt.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. Launched in 2003, NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round inside access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings, minicamps and training camps.

For fans on the go, all NFL Network programming can be streamed live through the NFL app and via Watch NFL Network on smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected TV devices (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, PlayStation 4 and Roku). Access is available for NFL Network subscribers of participating TV providers. For more information, go to NFL.com/nflnetwork.

Franchise and transition player designations were announced today for the 2019 NFL free agency signing period, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13.

A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents.

The salary offer by a player’s club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive or non-exclusive.

An “exclusive” franchise player – not free to sign with another club – is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 19; or (ii) the amount of the required tender for a “non-exclusive” franchise player, as explained below.

Article 10, Section 2(a)(i) of the CBA sets forth the methodology, known as the “Cap Percentage Average,” for calculating the required tender for such a player:​

The Nonexclusive Franchise Tender shall be a one year NFL Player Contract for (A) the average of the five largest Prior Year Salaries for players at the position . . . at which the Franchise Player participated in the most plays during the prior League Year, which average shall be calculated by: (1) summing the amounts of the Franchise Tags for players at that position for the five preceding League Years; (2) dividing the resulting amount by the sum of the Salary Caps for the five preceding League Years . . . ; and (3) multiplying the resulting percentage by the Salary Cap for the upcoming League Year . . . (the “Cap Percentage Average”) . . . ; or (B) 120% of his Prior Year Salary, whichever is greater . . . .

If a club extends a required tender to a non-exclusive franchise player pursuant to this section, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a player contract with any club, except that draft choice compensation of two first-round draft selections shall be made in the event he signs with a new club.

The signing period for franchise players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 13 and ends on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 12).

This year, six players were designated as non-exclusive franchise players.

2019 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

Club

Player

Position

Atlanta Falcons

Grady Jarrett

DT

Dallas Cowboys

Demarcus Lawrence

DE

Houston Texans

Jadeveon Clowney

LB

Kansas City Chiefs

Dee Ford

LB

San Francisco 49ers

Robbie Gould

K

Seattle Seahawks

Frank Clark

DE

A transition player is offered the greater of (i) the average of the top 10 prior year salaries at the player’s position, which average is calculated using the same methodology used for non-exclusive franchise players (the Cap Percentage Average); or (ii) 120% of his prior year salary.

If a club extends a required tender to a transition player, the player shall be permitted to negotiate a contract with any club subject to his prior club’s right of first refusal, except that no draft choice compensation shall be made with respect to such player if his prior club declines to exercise its right of first refusal.

The signing period for transition players begins at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on March 13 and ends on July 22. After July 22 and until 4:00p.m. (ET) on the Tuesday following the 10th week of the season (November 12), the prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

This year, no player was designated as a transition player.

The Salary Cap for the 2019 league year has been set at $188,200,000 per club. The resulting 2019 Cap Percentage Average (“CPA”) tenders for non-exclusive franchise players and transition players are as follows:

A total of 32 compensatory choices in the 2019 NFL Draft have been awarded to 15 teams, the NFL announced today. ​

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents (“CFA”) than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. No club may receive more than four compensatory picks in any one year. If a club qualifies for more than four compensatory picks after offsetting each CFA lost by each CFA gained of an equal or higher value, the four highest remaining selections will be awarded to the club.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement limits the number of compensatory selections to the number of clubs then in the League (32). This year, six clubs: the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colts, the Los Angeles Rams, the New York Giants, and the San Francisco 49ers qualified for compensatory selections under the net loss formula but will not receive those picks because the final numerical values of the CFAs who were lost by those clubs ranked 33rd through 39th among the final numerical values of all compensatory selections. Each of those six clubs will receive compensatory selections for other CFAs lost whose final numerical values ranked within the top 32.

The following 2019 compensatory draft picks have been determined by the NFL Management Council for the 2019 NFL Draft, which will be held on April 25-27 in Nashville:

Round

Round Choice/

Overall Selection

Team

3

33-96

Washington

3

34-97

New England

3

35-98

Los Angeles Rams

3

36-99

Los Angeles Rams

3

37-100

Carolina

3

38-101

New England

3

39-102

Baltimore

4

33-135

Indianapolis

4

34-136

Dallas

4

35-137

Atlanta

4

36-138

Philadelphia

5

33-171

New York Giants

5

34-172

Atlanta

5

35-173

Washington

6

33-205

New England

6

34-206

Washington

6

35-207

Arizona

6

36-208

Philadelphia

6

37-209

Minnesota

6

38-210

Cincinnati

6

39-211

Cincinnati

6

40-212

San Francisco

6

41-213

Cincinnati

6

42-214

Kansas City

7

33-247

Minnesota

7

34-248

Arizona

7

35-249

Arizona

7

36-250

Minnesota

7

37-251

Los Angeles Rams

7

38-252

New England

7

39-253

Washington

7

40-254

Arizona

The compensatory free agents lost and gained in 2018 by the clubs that will receive compensatory picks in the 2019 Draft: